The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC provides advanced care for adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15-39 years who are diagnosed with cancer.
Our program, developed with funding and support from Teen Cancer America, is aimed at excelling in the care and support of patients at Children’s National through their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and transition to long-term follow-up and beyond. We understand that teens and young adults with cancer face different obstacles than other young children and older adults. To support AYA cancer patients, the AYA Cancer Program team partners with the patient’s primary oncology to identify areas of patient need and create treatment plans to help achieve the best outcomes for our patients.
During intake, we focus on understanding the unique needs of AYA patients to determine if they are eligible for the following supports: access to clinical trials and pioneering treatments, fertility preservation support, psychosocial support, educational and career plan support, and long-term follow-up care.